Halifax Central Library opens to the public

Hundreds of people poured into Halifax's new library at Saturday’s grand opening.

Four hundred pairs of safety scissors were given out for the community ribbon cutting for the building's grand opening.

"We're not a book warehouse. There's no 'Shh' anymore. This will be a place for people to make it whatever they want it to be," said Bruce Gorman last month, director of central library and regional services at Halifax Public Libraries.

"It'll be an icon, a beacon for our city, like the Eiffel Tower is for Paris."

He said libraries are changing — and the one in Halifax is unique.

"When you walk into a library you wouldn't normally think you can grab a coffee, log onto our Wi-Fi and watch the sunset on a patio," said Gorman.

CBC’s Anjuli Patil is there. Follow her as she live tweets the opening.